Alpher also says the geopolitical situation has changed dramatically since 1982.

NPR: Echoes of Israel's Occupation of Lebanon

He did this simply so that the paper might be credited to Alpher, Bethe, Gamow, close enough to the first three letters of the Greek alphabet.

ECONOMIST: Hans Bethe, nuclear physicist, died on March 6th, aged 98

Mr. JOSEPH ALPHER (Former Senior Israel Intelligence Official): We are perceived to be battling the forces of radical Islam, and particularly in the case of Lebanon, Iranian-supported Shiite radical Islam.

NPR: Echoes of Israel's Occupation of Lebanon